BioShock 2 Review (360/PS3/PC)

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From 2K Marin (as well as 2K Australia, 2K China and Digital Extremes) comes the sequel to the hit BioShock. Originally titled BioShock: Sea of Dreams, BioShock 2 takes place roughly 10 years after its predecessor in the dank ruins of Rapture, the underwater city designed by industrialist Andrew Ryan as a utopia away from the confines of government and religion.

In BioShock 2, you play as a prototype Big Daddy, a hulking monstrosity conditioned to protect Rapture’s Little Sisters. The game plays a lot like its predecessor, and if you enjoyed the first BioShock, you should definitely enjoy this one. You’ll be wielding and upgrading all manner of superhuman plasmids and weapons, hacking machinery to gain its favor, taking down fellow Big Daddies (and a few Big Sisters) and completing objectives doled out by shady citizens.

Most mechanics have been improved or expanded upon for the sequel, including the narrative. While BioShock 2 lacks the sense of mystery and punch of the first, its story is tightly wound, and in many ways, actually improves on the original BioShock’s plot. The two work really well together.

Online multiplayer is included this go-round, and it’s quite well done. Up to 10 players can hop online for Rapture-themed multiplayer mainstays like free-for-all, capture the flag and king of the hill. A progression system along the lines of the Call of Duty games unlocks new weapons, upgrades, plasmids and gene tonics the more you play. Many single player aspects, such as hacking, researching and Big Daddies carry over successfully to multiplayer.

BioShock 2′s graphics are rather similar to the original’s visuals, which is a shame because BioShock is now over 2 years old. However, the striking art deco style and attention to detail really hold up. Rapture is still a creepy place to explore, and the sequel is a worthy successor to a fantastic game. BioShock 2 definitely deserves to be in your library.

BioShock 2 was reviewed using the Xbox 360 version.